Medical instrument arrangement with drape

Abstract

A medical instrument arrangement includes an operation microscope system ( 100 ) and a carrier unit ( 101 ) carrying the operation microscope ( 102 ). The medical instrument arrangement is at least partially covered by a drape ( 110 ). The air inside the drape ( 110 ) is removed by a suction unit. The drape ( 110 ) is fixed to a portion of the carrier unit ( 101 ) at a collar ( 115 ). By operating the suction unit at different suction rates, disturbing vibrations of the system during a surgical procedure can be minimized.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A medical instrument arrangement for use in a surgical procedure carried out on a patient under sterile conditions, the medical instrument arrangement comprising: 
       a surgical instrument for use by a surgeon during the surgical procedure;  
       a carrier unit for supporting said surgical instrument;  
       said surgical instrument having surfaces which are unsterilized;  
       said carrier having a mounting structure thereon defining a barrier disposed between the unsterilized surgical instrument and the ambient;  
       said mounting structure defining a smooth surface extending over the periphery thereof;  
       a gastight sterile drape completely enclosing the unsterilized surfaces of said surgical instrument; and,  
       an attachment device for attaching said drape to said mounting structure at said smooth surface thereof so as to provide a gastight interface between said drape and said smooth surface thereby preventing an infection of the patient from said unsterilized surfaces during the surgical procedure.  
     
     
       2. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment device is a VELCRO fastener. 
     
     
       3. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising a suction unit for at least partially removing a medium from the spatial region enclosed by said drape. 
     
     
       4. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said suction unit is provided with an outlet for medium removed from said drape, which is arranged at a distance from said surgical instrument. 
     
     
       5. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said suction unit comprises a suction pump having a turbine. 
     
     
       6. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said suction unit is at least partially integrated in said carrier unit. 
     
     
       7. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said suction unit is at least partially integrated into said medical instrument. 
     
     
       8. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , further comprising means for controlling a suction rate of said suction unit. 
     
     
       9. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said suction unit comprises at least one opening for removing medium from said spatial region. 
     
     
       10. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 9 , wherein means are provided for avoiding obstruction of said at least one opening of the suction unit by said drape. 
     
     
       11. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein means for venting said drape are provided. 
     
     
       12. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein the said suction unit comprises a tube communicating with said spatial region for conducting away said medium therefrom; and, said tube being mounted on said carrier unit is at least partially bendable so as to follow movements of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       13. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said suction unit comprises a pipe system communicating with said spatial region for conducting away said medium therefrom; and, said pipe system is mounted on said carrier unit and includes a plurality of segments interconnected by joints to permit said pipe system to follow movements of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       14. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said carrier unit includes an arm assembly on which said surgical instrument is mounted; said mounting structure is a collar mounted on one of the arms of said arm assembly; and, said collar has an annular periphery defining said smooth surface. 
     
     
       15. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein said suction unit includes a suction line mounted in said collar and communicating with said spatial region. 
     
     
       16. The medical instrument arrangement of  claim 15 , further comprising a venting valve mounted in said collar for venting said spatial region enclosed by said drape.